Crash of a Learjet 35A in Belo Horizonte: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 20, 2021 at 1452 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
PR-MLA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Belo Horizonte - Belo Horizonte
MSN:
35-072
YOM:
1976
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
3432
Captain / Total hours on type:
41.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3034
Copilot / Total hours on type:
2211
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Belo Horizonte-Pampulha-Carlos Drummond de Andrade Airport at 1420LT on a local training fight. On board were two pilots and one passenger. After 30 minutes of flight over the area, the crew returned to the airport and initiated the approach to runway 13 to complete a touch and go manoeuvre. On final approach, the crew forgot to lower the gear, causing the airplane to land on its belly. It slid for few hundred metres, overran, went through the perimeter fence (striking concrete poles) and came to rest against trees, broken in two. The copilot aged 76 was killed while both other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Contributing factors:
- Attention – undetermined.
It is possible that the aircraft’s encounter with a kite led to a delayed and imprecise response to operational cues, which may have resulted in a breakdown in the alert and distraction management system, specifically regarding landing gear extension.
- Attitude – undetermined.
Conducting the flight with an unqualified pilot reflected the adoption of inappropriate attitudes such as complacency, overconfidence, and disregard for the requirements established in RBACs 91 and 61, which may have contributed to this accident.
- Crew Resource Management – a contributor.
Inefficient use of the human resources available for the aircraft operation led to inadequate task management among the crew. The PIC never questioned the aircraft’s readiness for landing, and the pilot occupying the right seat failed to monitor the aircraft configuration or assertively advise on the landing gear position for touchdown.
- Perception – a contributor.
During the approach, the aural warning indicating that the landing gear was still retracted was activated and could be heard on the CVR audio. However, the pilots took no corrective action, evidencing impaired ability to recognize and interpret internal environmental cues, which led to reduced situational awareness and culminated in a gear up landing.
- Limited pilot’s experience – undetermined.
Considering the PIC’s operational background, developed almost entirely in rotary wing aviation, it is possible that his limited experience with fixed-wing aircraft had not yet enabled him to acquire the full range of skills and knowledge necessary for the safe operation of Learjet 35 flights.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 25B in Toluca

Date & Time: Apr 18, 2021 at 1527 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XB-PIZ
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cancún - Toluca
MSN:
25-193
YOM:
1975
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Cancún, the crew encountered technical problems with the undercarriage while on approach to Toluca-Licenciado Adolfo López Mateos. Decision was taken to complete a belly landing on runway 15/33. The airplane slid for few dozen metres before coming to rest, bursting into flames. All 9 occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Partenavia P.68C Observer 2 in Bhopal

Date & Time: Mar 27, 2021 at 1605 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VT-TAA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bhopal - Guna
MSN:
398-07-OB2
YOM:
1994
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
772
Captain / Total hours on type:
472.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
458
Copilot / Total hours on type:
220
Aircraft flight hours:
2835
Circumstances:
The aircraft was under the command of a CPL holder pilot-in-command (PIC), who was Pilot Flying (PF). PIC was assisted by a CPL holder copilot, who was pilot monitoring (PM). One passenger (Director of Operations M/s PAPL) was also onboard. The aircraft took off from Bhopal airport uneventfully. After takeoff, at about 20 NM, the crew observed abnormal noise followed by low oil pressure and high oil temperature indication on aircraft’s LH engine. Crew assessed the situation and decided to turn back to Bhopal. The crew however, reported to ATC Bhopal that they are returning back due to wind and turbulence. While returning, crew shutdown the LH engine. Post LH engine shut down, crew gave a call to ATC, Bhopal requested to land the aircraft on the taxiway (disuse runway). ATC did not agree to the request, as there was no cross runway at Bhopal. The ATC was also not made aware of the prevailing emergency situation by the crew. When ATC declined the request, the crew informed ATC, that they might be doing force landing. ATC Bhopal immediately responded and asked the crew to land on Runway 12. However, the crew carried out a force landing in an agriculture field approximately 3 NM from Bhopal Airport. During the force landing, the PIC received serious injury and the copilot and passenger received minor injuries.The aircraft sustained substantial damages.
Probable cause:
The probable cause of the accident was Oil leak from the LH engine during the flight. Consequently, oil starvation and lack of lubrication resulted in excessive heat generation amongst the frictional components. Due to excessive heat, the bearing of no. 4 piston connecting rod failed and broke into pieces. However, the root cause of the LH engine oil leak could not be conclusively established. Subsequent to LH engine seizure, the crew did not follow the emergency procedures for single engine operation and took a decision to come for landing with single engine (RH). The crew further aggravated the emergency situation by not communicating the actual reason with ATC, displaying gross lack of situational awareness in handling the emergency. Crew estimated that they cannot reach the airport runway due to the low altitude and force landed the aircraft before the airport.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 401 in Hermosillo: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 27, 2021 at 1207 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XB-HSW
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Hermosillo - Tucson
MSN:
401-0234
YOM:
1969
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
After departing runway 23 at Hermosillo-General Ignacio Pesqueira Garcia Airport, the twin engine aircraft entered a slight turn to the right but encountered difficulties to gain height. It struck power cables and crashed in a field located about 7 km west of the airport, bursting into flames. Three passengers were seriously injured while four other occupants including the pilot were killed. Few hours later, two of the three survivors died from their injuries. The undersecretary of Economic Development of Sonora Leonardo Ciscomani seems to be the only survivor.

Crash of a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air in Nairobi

Date & Time: Mar 26, 2021 at 1630 LT
Operator:
Registration:
5Y-NJS
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Nairobi – Kisumu – Eldoret – Nairobi
MSN:
BB-837
YOM:
1981
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6589
Captain / Total hours on type:
4600.00
Aircraft flight hours:
12177
Circumstances:
The aircraft, registered 5Y-NJS operated by Westwind Aviation Ltd crashed at Ngong Racecourse. The flight with two onboard was on a private mission to Kisumu, Eldoret and back to Nairobi. The aircraft departed Wilson Airport (HKNW) at 0420Z and landed at Kisumu Airport (HKKI) at 0502Z. It then departed HKKI to HKEL at 1142Z and landed at 1200Z where it picked one passenger. The flight then departed HKEL to HKNW with three onboard at 1247Z with an estimated flight time of 40 minutes. According to the preliminary information obtained from the Captain, the aircraft attained flight level 250 42NM from Eldoret VOR. The flight was then cleared to fly direct to GV VOR by Nairobi Area Control Centre. During descend to flight level 100 they encountered bad weather whereby the wings developed heavy icing. The Captain deployed deicing systems on the wings but the problem persisted. The situation prompted the Captain to request Wilson Control to descend to “Monstry fix” for landing at HKNW which was approved. As the flight continued descending the left engine went off. The Captain requested Wilson Tower for assistance. After 30 seconds, the right engine also went off. The Captain elected to make an emergency landing at Ngong Racecourse. On landing along, the left wing collided with trees and broke-off and separated together with the left engine and the left main landing gear. The turned clockwise through 180° and faced the opposite direction. All three onboard escaped unhurt but the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a Boeing 737-4Y0 in Jakarta

Date & Time: Mar 20, 2021 at 1126 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PK-YSF
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Jakarta - Makassar
MSN:
23869/1639
YOM:
1988
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6228
Captain / Total hours on type:
5208.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1255
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1084
Aircraft flight hours:
55982
Aircraft flight cycles:
65005
Circumstances:
On 20 March 2021, a Boeing 737-400F, registered PK-YSF, was being operated by Trigana Air Service on a non-schedule cargo flight from Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport (WIHH), Jakarta, Indonesia with intended destination of Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport (WAAA), South Sulawesi, Indonesia. On board in this flight was two pilots, one engineer and one Flight Operation Officer (FOO). According to the weight and balance sheet, the flight carried 16,672 kgs of general cargo, takeoff fuel of 11,100 kg and the takeoff weight was 60,695 kg (133,835 lbs). The Pilot in Command (PIC) acted as Pilot Flying (PF) and the Second in Command (SIC) acted as Pilot Monitoring (PM). At 0328 UTC (1028 LT), the PM requested clearance to Halim Tower controller (the controller) to pushback and start the engines. At 1031 LT, the PM requested to the controller for taxi clearance. There was no report of aircraft system abnormality prior to the aircraft departure. At 1047 LT, the controller issued clearance to the PK-YSF pilot to enter and to backtrack Runway 24. At 1051 LT, the PM reported ready for departure to the controller. The controller issued takeoff clearance with additional departure clearance that after takeoff, turn left to heading 180° and initially climb to altitude of 3,000 feet. The PM acknowledged the clearance. The takeoff was conducted with reduced takeoff thrust by assumed temperature of 40°C and the aircraft became airborne at 10:52:57 LT. At 1055 LT, the controller advised the pilot to report when established on heading 180°. The PM reported that they were experiencing right engine failure and requested to fly to AL NDB . The controller advised the PM to turn left heading 060° and to climb to 2,500 feet. Furthermore, the controller asked the pilot intention whether to hold over AL NDB or direct for landing approach. The PM replied that they would hold over AL NDB and added the information that no fire was detected. The controller issued clearance to fly to AL NDB at altitude of 2,500 feet. The controller assumed that PK-YSF would return to Halim and advised the Airport Rescue and Fire-Fighting (ARFF) personnel that PK-YSF experienced right engine failure and would return to Halim. At 1058 LT, the controller requested the information of time required for holding over AL NDB and was replied by the PM that holding would require about 15 minutes. Furthermore, the controller requested whether the pilot able to hold at a point about 15 to 20 Nm from AL NDB and was replied by the PM that they did not objection to the proposal. The controller instructed the pilot to maintain outbound heading up to 15 Nm, at altitude of 2,500 feet. This was intended by the controller to manage the departure and arrival aircraft to and from Halim. At 1116 LT, the PM reported that they were ready to turn left for approach. The controller advised the pilot to turn left and to intercept localizer of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) Runway 24. At 1125 LT, the PM reported to the controller that the Runway was in sight. The controller advised that the wind was from 060° at velocity of 6 knots, QNH 1,007 mbs and issued landing clearance. The aircraft touched down on the touchdown zone and shortly after, both wheels of the right main landing gear detached. The controller noticed spark appeared from the aircraft and pressed the crash bell. At 1127 LT, the controller informed pilots of the other aircraft that the runway blocked by the landing aircraft and identified fire on one of the engines. Few seconds later, the PM called the controller whether any fire and was replied by the controller that fire was visible on the left side of the aircraft.

Crash of an Antonov AN-26 in Almaty: 4 killed

Date & Time: Mar 13, 2021 at 1722 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
02 white
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Nursultan - Almaty
MSN:
72 01
YOM:
1978
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Nursultan Nazarbayev Airport on behalf of the National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the crew was approaching Almaty Airport runway 23R in marginal weather conditions with a ceiling at 300 feet and a visibility limited to 5 km in freezing drizzle. On short final, the aircraft struck the ground and crashed 600 metres short of runway, bursting into flames. Two crew members were rescued while four others were killed.
Those killed were:
Major Gabit Esimdaevich Barlykbayev,
Captain Doszhan Galymbekovich Baimuratov,
1st Lt Mukhtar Hadzhimukanovich Sagimbayev,
Sgt Vasilkov Evgeny Borisovich.

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Franklin

Date & Time: Mar 11, 2021 at 1953 LT
Registration:
N80056
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Franklin - Franklin
MSN:
421B-0654
YOM:
1974
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3000
Captain / Total hours on type:
7.00
Aircraft flight hours:
3406
Circumstances:
According to the pilot, during the takeoff roll from the 5,000-ft-long runway, after reaching an airspeed of 90 knots, the airplane’s acceleration slowed. The airplane reached a maximum airspeed of about 92 knots, which was below the planned rotation speed of 100 knots. The pilot elected to abort the takeoff with about 1,500 ft of remaining runway. He reduced the power to idle and initiated maximum braking. The pilot stated that he did not sense the airplane slowing down but observed tire marks on the runway postaccident that were consistent with braking. The airplane continued off the end of the runway and collided with a fence before coming to a stop. All of the occupants exited the airplane safely, and a post-crash fire ensued. Examination of the runway revealed tire skid marks that began 1,200 ft from the runway end and continued into the grass leading to the airplane. An examination of the airplane revealed that the entire cockpit and cabin areas were destroyed by fire. The engines did not display evidence of a catastrophic failure but were otherwise unable to be examined in more detail due to the degree of fire damage. The parking brake control was found in the off position. All hydraulic brake lines were destroyed by fire, and the main landing gear sustained fire and impact damage. Although the tire marks on the runway indicated that some braking action took place, the extensive fire damage precluded a detailed examination of the braking system, and there was insufficient evidence to determine the reason for the runway excursion.
Probable cause:
The reason for this accident could not be determined based on the available information.
Final Report:

Crash of a Embraer EMB-120ER Brasília in Detroit

Date & Time: Mar 7, 2021 at 0008 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N233SW
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Detroit - Akron
MSN:
120-307
YOM:
1995
Flight number:
BYA233
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Detroit-Willow Run (Ypsilanti) Airport at 2337LT on March 6 on a cargo service to Akron-Canton Airport, carrying two pilots and a load of various goods. After takeoff, the crew encountered technical problems and declared an emergency. He completed two low passes in front of the tower, apparently due to gear problems. Eventually, the aircraft belly landed at 0008LT and came to rest on runway 05R. Both pilots evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Let L-410UVP-E in Pieri: 10 killed

Date & Time: Mar 2, 2021 at 1705 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-4274
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Juba - Pieri - Yuai - Juba
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
Coming from Juba, the twin engine airplane departed Pieri Airstrip on a short flight to Yuai (about 22 km southwest from Pieri) before returning to Juba, carrying eight passengers and two pilots. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft stalled and crashed in an open field. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces but there was no fire. All 10 occupants were killed.